Drying up a pregnant doe...

Hi everyone, I need some advice....

My doe is due March 28th, exactly 2 months from today. I didn't realize how close we were to the "2 months before kidding" mark, and I realized this just last week, and so I started drying her off by only milking once per day.  She is a heavy milker, and as of last week, was giving about 3 cups a day.  I am only milking her in the evening now, and she is giving about 2 to 2 1/2 cups of milk.  I haven't changed the amount of feed she is getting.  Oh yes, and she kidded May 15, 2016.

I know I need to get her dried off soon, since she is due in 2 months, but don't want to harm her by rushing.  What should I do to dry her off safely/but without taking several more weeks (like the method I read about on www.fiascofarm.com.)?

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  • Deborah has said several times that as long as their output is down to a cup or two per day you can just stop milking and they will dry up on their own with no problem. I found that to be true with one of my does this year. I would reduce the amount of grain she's getting, and maybe just not milk her out all the way for a few days. She should be fine.

    Your doe is almost on the same schedule as my other doe, who kidded on May 20 and is due on April 11. I dried her off just this week, but she was  down to about a cup a day. No problems, other than she's mad about not getting her morning grain. LOL

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